Handout CCTV photo by West Mercia Police of three men, who police are looking for in connection to a suspect acid attack to a three-year-old boy in Home Bargains on Shrub Hill Retail Park, Tallow Hill, Worcester Photo: West Mercia Police/PA Wire

Three men have been arrested in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm over a suspected acid attack on a three-year-old boy in Worcester on Saturday, West Mercia Police said.

The boy has been discharged from hospital after he suffered serious burns in the attack that was described as “absolutely pure evil”.

The toddler was in a pushchair with his family in a Worcester shop when a corrosive substance was “thrown or sprayed” over him, according to West Mercia Police.

He was treated in hospital for burns to his face and one arm before being released on Sunday afternoon.

Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said the boy is recovering at home with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers.

He told Sky News: “A young family were out shopping and a substance appears to either have been thrown or sprayed towards a three-year-old child who was in a pushchair.”

He added: “We are uncertain about the long-term implications of those burns, but we do hope that these won’t be life-changing injuries.”

Ch Supt Travis renewed the appeal for information about three men seen in images released by police.

“We are really, really keen that the images we have released will hopefully bring forward information about people who maybe able to help us, who were in the store at the time of the incident.

“If those people can come forward or people could identify those people it will help us understand the motivation for this.”

He said the men were in the shop at the time of the attack and were “in very close proximity to the little boy”.